April 19, 2001
SPORTS
Page 21
NBA changes rules in attempt to increase scoring and excitement
Andrew Rollins
Reporter
In an attempt to revive high-
scoring, fan-friendly basketball,
NBA franchise owners recently
approved a series of sweeping rule
changes to begin next season.
The biggest changes included
eliminating all illegal defense guide
lines and redefining what consti
tutes a foul. The league also insti
tuted a defensive three-second rule
and reduced the amount of time
teams will have to push the ball past
midcourt.
Never have such rule changes
had the potential to transform the
face of the pro game since the intro
duction of the 24-second shot clock.
However, many coaches and
players were not pleased with the
changes. Shaquille O’Neal, All-Star
center for the L.A. Lakers, showed
his dislike for the new rules by
uttering a one-word response.
“Stinks,” O’Neal said. “I have a lot
to say, but not now.”
Coaches and players fostered
some doubt as to the new rule
changes and think the NBA’s reac
tion to shrinking attendance levels,
lower television ratings and low
scoring was inappropriate.
“Our belief is that the game
has evolved, and the product we
have presently was one that needed
attention,” Jerry Colangelo said in
response to those doubts. Colangelo
continued by citing a lack of fluid
ity in present NBA games as one of
the reasons for the rule adjustments.
Colangelo, who is the owner
of the Phoenix Suns, also chaired
the committee that decided on the
rule changes.
The elimination of illegal de
fense may have the biggest impact
on the game.
Teams may now use a zone
defense instead of playing man-to-
man. A zone will perhaps make the
pro game more like the college
game.
Nevertheless, in order to pre
vent what Colangelo called an “out-
and-out zone,” a system of checks
and balances has been instituted in
the form of the defensive three-
second rule.
This violation does not allow
a defender to be in the lane for more
than three seconds if he is more than
an arm’s length away from his man.
Lakers Coach Phil Jackson
thinks the elimination of illegal de
fense was an appropriate measure.
“It’ll be good for basketball,” Jack
son said.
The reduction of time a team
is allowed to advance the ball across
half-court will also speed up the
game.
Teams will have eight sec
onds instead of 10 to cross midcourt.
The new rule will hopefully en
courage more open-court action and
persuade the defending teams to
press more often.
Redefining what constitutes
a foul is an attempt to stop “touch”
fouls that do not affect the shooter.
These fouls have become routine
the past few years. The ban on hand-
checking will also be lifted to make
the referees’ jobs easier.
The new rule changes may
not be perfect, but Colangelo in
sisted that adjustments will be made
if the new rules appear to harm the
game in any way.
The NBA and its fans will
just have to hold wait and see.
Photo Courtesy of Bob Galbrath
Zone defenses will make dunks like this more difficult for Vince Carter.
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